CONGRESS

Sen. Inouye of Hawaii Dies at 88

By National Journal Staff

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Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, president pro temper of the Senate, and a recipient of the Medal of Honor, attends a ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Sept. 19, 2011, where he is presented a commemorative coin marking the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Medal of Honor by Congress. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Sen. Inouye, 'A Giant of the Senate,' dies at age of 88.

Sen. Daniel Inouye, currently the longest serving member of the Senate, has died at the age of 88. The Democrat was the senior Senator from the Aloha State and a long time presence on the Appropriations Committee. A Japanese American, he was wounded in World War II, losing his right arm in combat.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie will appoint a successor. Democrats are widely expected to hold the seat.

Inouye has been in declining health and his death was not unexpected.

Hawaii, once towering in seniority, will have two freshman senators following Inouye’s death and the retirement of Sen. Daniel Akaka.